1
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Wang W, Li H, Huang M, Wang X, Li W, Qian X, Jing L. Hoxa9/ meis1-transgenic zebrafish develops acute myeloid leukaemia-like disease with rapid onset and high penetrance. Open Biol 2022; 12:220172. [PMID: 36285442 PMCID: PMC9597180 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
HOXA9 and MEIS1 are co-expressed in over 50% of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and play essential roles in leukaemogenesis, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Diverse animal models offer valuable tools to recapitulate different aspects of AML and link in vitro studies to clinical trials. We generated a double transgenic zebrafish that enables hoxa9 overexpression in blood cells under the draculin (drl) regulatory element and an inducible expression of meis1 through a heat shock promoter. After induction, Tg(drl:hoxa9;hsp70:meis1) embryos developed a preleukaemic state with reduced myeloid and erythroid differentiation coupled with the poor production of haematopoietic stem cells and myeloid progenitors. Importantly, most adult Tg(drl:hoxa9;hsp70:meis1) fish at 3 months old showed abundant accumulations of immature myeloid precursors, interrupted differentiation and anaemia in the kidney marrow, and infiltration of myeloid precursors in peripheral blood, resembling human AML. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis also confirmed AML transformation by the transgene. Moreover, the dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor that reduces leukaemogenesis in mammals effectively restored haematopoiesis in Tg(drl:hoxa9;hsp70:meis1) embryos and improved their late survival. Thus, Tg(drl:hoxa9;hsp70:meis1) zebrafish is a rapid-onset high-penetrance AML-like disease model, which provides a novel tool to harness the unique advantages of zebrafish for mechanistic studies and drug screening against HOXA9/MEIS1 overexpressed high-risk AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongji Li
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengling Huang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- Core facility and technical service center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqing Qian
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Jing
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
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2
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Dozzo A, Galvin A, Shin JW, Scalia S, O'Driscoll CM, Ryan KB. Modelling acute myeloid leukemia (AML): What's new? A transition from the classical to the modern. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2022:10.1007/s13346-022-01189-4. [PMID: 35930221 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-022-01189-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous malignancy affecting myeloid cells in the bone marrow (BM) but can spread giving rise to impaired hematopoiesis. AML incidence increases with age and is associated with poor prognostic outcomes. There has been a disconnect between the success of novel drug compounds observed in preclinical studies of hematological malignancy and less than exceptional therapeutic responses in clinical trials. This review aims to provide a state-of-the-art overview on the different preclinical models of AML available to expand insights into disease pathology and as preclinical screening tools. Deciphering the complex physiological and pathological processes and developing predictive preclinical models are key to understanding disease progression and fundamental in the development and testing of new effective drug treatments. Standard scaffold-free suspension models fail to recapitulate the complex environment where AML occurs. To this end, we review advances in scaffold/matrix-based 3D models and outline the most recent advances in on-chip technology. We also provide an overview of clinically relevant animal models and review the expanding use of patient-derived samples, which offer the prospect to create more "patient specific" screening tools either in the guise of 3D matrix models, microphysiological "organ-on-chip" tools or xenograft models and discuss representative examples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aoife Galvin
- School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Jae-Won Shin
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, 909 S. Wolcott Ave, Chicago, IL, 5091 COMRB, USA
| | - Santo Scalia
- Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Caitriona M O'Driscoll
- School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,SSPC Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Katie B Ryan
- School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. .,SSPC Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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3
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Xin Q, Chen Z, Wei W, Wu Y. Animal models of acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Recapitulating the human disease to evaluate drug efficacy and discover therapeutic targets. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 198:114970. [PMID: 35183530 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant hematologic tumor with highly aggressive characteristics, which is prone to relapse, has a poor prognosis and few clinically effective drugs. It is meaningful to gain a better understanding of its pathogenesis in order to discover and evaluate potential therapeutic drugs and new treatment targets. The goal of developing novel targeted drugs and treatment methods is to increase complete remission, reduce toxicity and morbidity, and that is also the most important prerequisite for modern leukemia treatment. However, the process of new drugs from research and development to clinical application is long and difficult. Many promising drugs were rejected by the USFoodandDrugAdministration(FDA) due to serious adverse drug reactions (ADR) in clinical phase I trials. Animal models provide us with an excellent tool to understand the complex pathological mechanisms of human diseases, to evaluate the potential of new targeted drugs and therapeutic approaches to treat ALL in vivo and, more importantly, to assess the potential ADR they may have on healthy organs. In this article we review ALL animal models' progression, their roles in revealing the pathogenesis of ALL and drug development. Additionally, we mainly focus on the mouse models, especially xenotransplantation and transgenic models that more closely reproduce the human phenotype. In conclusion, we summarize the advantages and limitations of each model, thereby facilitating further understanding the etiology of ALL, and eventually contributing to the effective management of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianling Xin
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Zhaoying Chen
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Yujing Wu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei 230032, China.
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4
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Somasagara RR, Leung T. Zebrafish Xenograft Model to Study Human Cancer. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2022; 2413:45-53. [PMID: 35044653 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1896-7_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish, Danio rerio, has been an important animal model for cancer research over the last decade. The capability of a high-throughput screen in zebrafish and a wide range of pharmacologically active compounds elicit physiological responses in zebrafish embryos comparable to those in mammalian systems, making zebrafish ideal for identifying clinically relevant drug targets and compounds that regulate tumor progression. The zebrafish model is suitable for patient-derived xenograft (pdx) and large-scale screening of lead compounds against specific malignancies. This established vertebrate model has many advantages, including fast response time, cost efficiency for drug testing, efficient manipulation of the host microenvironment by genetic tools, suitable for small molecule drug screening in high-throughput setting, easy maintenance, transparency for easy observation, high fecundity, and rapid generation time. The zebrafish model is a good alternative in vivo model to mammals for robust testing of drug candidates for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranganatha R Somasagara
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, USA
| | - TinChung Leung
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, USA. .,Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA.
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5
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Di Paolo C, Hoffmann S, Witters H, Carrillo JC. Minimum reporting standards based on a comprehensive review of the zebrafish embryo teratogenicity assay. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 127:105054. [PMID: 34653553 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.105054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive toxicity chemical safety assessment involves extensive use of vertebrate animals for regulatory testing purposes. Although alternative methods such as the zebrafish embryo teratogenicity assay (identified in the present manuscript by the acronym ZETA) are promising for replacing tests with mammals, challenges to regulatory application involve lack of standardization and incomplete validation. To identify key protocol aspects and ultimately support improving this situation, a comprehensive review of the literature on the level of harmonization/standardization and validation status of the ZETA has been conducted. The gaps and needed advances of the available ZETA protocols were evaluated and discussed with respect to its applicability as an alternative approach for teratogenicity assessment. Based on the review outcomes, a set of minimum reporting standards for the experimental protocol is proposed. Together with other initiatives towards implementation of alternative approaches at the screening and regulatory levels, the application of minimum reporting requirements is anticipated to support future method standardization and validation, as well as identifying potential improvement aspects. Present findings are expected to ultimately support advancing the ongoing validation initiatives towards the regulatory acceptance of the ZETA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Di Paolo
- Shell Health, Shell International, B.V. Carel van Bylandtlaan 16, 2596, HR, The Hague, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Hilda Witters
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Unit Health, Boeretang 200, B-2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Juan-Carlos Carrillo
- Shell Health, Shell International, B.V. Carel van Bylandtlaan 16, 2596, HR, The Hague, the Netherlands
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6
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Selvaraju K, Lotfi K, Gubat J, Miquel M, Nilsson A, Hill J, Jensen LD, Linder S, D’Arcy P. Sensitivity of Acute Myelocytic Leukemia Cells to the Dienone Compound VLX1570 Is Associated with Inhibition of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091339. [PMID: 34572552 PMCID: PMC8470745 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dienone compounds with a 1,5-diaryl-3-oxo-1,4-pentadienyl pharmacophore have been widely reported to show tumor cell selectivity. These compounds target the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), known to be essential for the viability of tumor cells. The induction of oxidative stress, depletion of glutathione, and induction of high-molecular-weight (HMW) complexes have also been reported. We here examined the response of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells to the dienone compound VLX1570. AML cells have relatively high protein turnover rates and have also been reported to be sensitive to depletion of reduced glutathione. We found AML cells of diverse cytogenetic backgrounds to be sensitive to VLX1570, with drug exposure resulting in an accumulation of ubiquitin complexes, induction of ER stress, and the loss of cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Caspase activation was observed but was not required for the loss of cell viability. Glutathione depletion was also observed but did not correlate to VLX1570 sensitivity. Formation of HMW complexes occurred at higher concentrations of VLX1570 than those required for the loss of cell viability and was not enhanced by glutathione depletion. To study the effect of VLX1570 we developed a zebrafish PDX model of AML and confirmed antigrowth activity in vivo. Our results show that VLX1570 induces UPS inhibition in AML cells and encourage further work in developing compounds useful for cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Selvaraju
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (K.S.); (K.L.); (J.G.); (M.M.); (A.N.); (J.H.); (S.L.)
| | - Kourosh Lotfi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (K.S.); (K.L.); (J.G.); (M.M.); (A.N.); (J.H.); (S.L.)
- Department of Hematology, Linköping University Hospital, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Johannes Gubat
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (K.S.); (K.L.); (J.G.); (M.M.); (A.N.); (J.H.); (S.L.)
| | - Maria Miquel
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (K.S.); (K.L.); (J.G.); (M.M.); (A.N.); (J.H.); (S.L.)
| | - Amanda Nilsson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (K.S.); (K.L.); (J.G.); (M.M.); (A.N.); (J.H.); (S.L.)
| | - Julia Hill
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (K.S.); (K.L.); (J.G.); (M.M.); (A.N.); (J.H.); (S.L.)
| | - Lasse D. Jensen
- Department of Health, Medical and Caring Sciences (HMV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden;
| | - Stig Linder
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (K.S.); (K.L.); (J.G.); (M.M.); (A.N.); (J.H.); (S.L.)
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pádraig D’Arcy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (K.S.); (K.L.); (J.G.); (M.M.); (A.N.); (J.H.); (S.L.)
- Correspondence:
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7
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Goldrick C, Palanga L, Tang B, Mealy G, Crown J, Horgan N, Kennedy S, Walsh N. Hindsight: Review of Preclinical Disease Models for the Development of New Treatments for Uveal Melanoma. J Cancer 2021; 12:4672-4685. [PMID: 34149931 PMCID: PMC8210544 DOI: 10.7150/jca.53954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular, histopathological, genomic and transcriptomic characteristics of uveal melanoma (UM) have identified four molecular subgroups with different clinical outcomes. Despite the improvements in UM classification and biological pathology, current treatments do not reduce the occurrence of metastasis. The development of effective adjuvant and metastatic therapies for UM has been slow and extremely limited. Preclinical models that closely resemble the molecular and genetic UM subgroups are essential for translating molecular findings into improved clinical treatment. In this review, we provide a retrospective view of the existing preclinical models used to study UM, and give an overview of their strengths and limitations. We review targeted therapy clinical trial data to evaluate the gap in the translation of preclinical findings to human studies. Reflecting on the current high attrition rates of clinical trials for UM, preclinical models that effectively recapitulate the human in vivo situation and/or accurately reflect the subtype classifications would enhance the translational impact of experimental data and have crucial implications for the advancement of personalised medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caoimhe Goldrick
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Letizia Palanga
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bobby Tang
- Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Research Foundation, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Adelaide Road, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Grace Mealy
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Crown
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Medical Oncology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Noel Horgan
- Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Research Foundation, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Adelaide Road, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Susan Kennedy
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.,Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Research Foundation, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Adelaide Road, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Naomi Walsh
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
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8
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Somasagara RR, Huang X, Xu C, Haider J, Serody JS, Armistead PM, Leung T. Targeted therapy of human leukemia xenografts in immunodeficient zebrafish. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5715. [PMID: 33707624 PMCID: PMC7952715 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85141-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Personalized medicine holds tremendous promise for improving safety and efficacy of drug therapies by optimizing treatment regimens. Rapidly developed patient-derived xenografts (pdx) could be a helpful tool for analyzing the effect of drugs against an individual's tumor by growing the tumor in an immunodeficient animal. Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice enable efficient in vivo expansion of vital tumor cells and generation of personalized xenografts. However, they are not amenable to large-scale rapid screening, which is critical in identifying new compounds from large compound libraries. The development of a zebrafish model suitable for pdx could facilitate large-scale screening of drugs targeted against specific malignancies. Here, we describe a novel strategy for establishing a zebrafish model for drug testing in leukemia xenografts. We used chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia for xenotransplantation into SCID zebrafish to evaluate drug screening protocols. We showed the in vivo efficacy of the ABL inhibitor imatinib, MEK inhibitor U0126, cytarabine, azacitidine and arsenic trioxide. We performed corresponding in vitro studies, demonstrating that combination of MEK- and FLT3-inhibitors exhibit an enhanced effect in vitro. We further evaluated the feasibility of zebrafish for transplantation of primary human hematopoietic cells that can survive at 15 day-post-fertilization. Our results provide critical insights to guide development of high-throughput platforms for evaluating leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranganatha R Somasagara
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, USA
| | - Chunyu Xu
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, USA
| | - Jamil Haider
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, USA
| | - Jonathan S Serody
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Paul M Armistead
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - TinChung Leung
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, USA. .,Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, 27707, USA.
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9
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Bergo V, Trompouki E. New tools for 'ZEBRA-FISHING'. Brief Funct Genomics 2021:elab001. [PMID: 33605988 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elab001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish has been established as a classical model for developmental studies, yet in the past years, with the explosion of novel technological methods, the use of zebrafish as a model has expanded. One of the prominent fields that took advantage of zebrafish as a model organism early on is hematopoiesis, the process of blood cell generation from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). In zebrafish, HSPCs are born early during development in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region and then translocate to the caudal hematopoietic tissue, where they expand and finally take residence in the kidney marrow. This journey is tightly regulated at multiple levels from extracellular signals to chromatin. In order to delineate the mechanistic underpinnings of this process, next-generation sequencing techniques could be an important ally. Here, we describe genome-wide approaches that have been undertaken to delineate zebrafish hematopoiesis.
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10
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Oppel F, Ki DH, Zimmerman MW, Ross KN, Tao T, Shi H, He S, Aster JC, Look AT. suz12 inactivation in p53- and nf1-deficient zebrafish accelerates the onset of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors and expands the spectrum of tumor types. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm.042341. [PMID: 32651197 PMCID: PMC7473648 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.042341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is an epigenetic regulator of gene expression that possesses histone methyltransferase activity. PRC2 trimethylates lysine 27 of histone H3 proteins (H3K27me3) as a chromatin modification associated with repressed transcription of genes frequently involved in cell proliferation or self-renewal. Loss-of-function mutations in the PRC2 core subunit SUZ12 have been identified in a variety of tumors, including malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). To determine the consequences of SUZ12 loss in the pathogenesis of MPNST and other cancers, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt the open reading frame of each of two orthologous suz12 genes in zebrafish: suz12a and suz12b. We generated these knockout alleles in the germline of our previously described p53 (also known as tp53)- and nf1-deficient zebrafish model of MPNSTs. Loss of suz12 significantly accelerated the onset and increased the penetrance of MPNSTs compared to that in control zebrafish. Moreover, in suz12-deficient zebrafish, we detected additional types of tumors besides MPNSTs, including leukemia with histological characteristics of lymphoid malignancies, soft tissue sarcoma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which were not detected in p53/nf1-deficient control fish, and are also contained in the human spectrum of SUZ12-deficient malignancies identified in the AACR Genie database. The suz12-knockout tumors displayed reduced or abolished H3K27me3 epigenetic marks and upregulation of gene sets reported to be targeted by PRC2. Thus, these zebrafish lines with inactivation of suz12 in combination with loss of p53/nf1 provide a model of human MPNSTs and multiple other tumor types, which will be useful for mechanistic studies of molecular pathogenesis and targeted therapy with small molecule inhibitors. Summary: In p53- and nf1-deficient zebrafish, onset of MPNSTs, as well as diverse other tumors, is accelerated by loss of the suz12 tumor suppressor, accompanied by global reduction in H3K27me3 marks and increased Ras-Mapk signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Oppel
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dong H Ki
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mark W Zimmerman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kenneth N Ross
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ting Tao
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shuning He
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jon C Aster
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - A Thomas Look
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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11
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Giunco S, Zangrossi M, Dal Pozzolo F, Celeghin A, Ballin G, Petrara MR, Amin A, Argenton F, Godinho Ferreira M, De Rossi A. Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Short-Term Inhibition of Telomerase In Vivo and in Human Malignant B Cells Xenografted in Zebrafish. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082052. [PMID: 32722398 PMCID: PMC7463531 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides its canonical role in stabilizing telomeres, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) may promote tumor growth/progression through extra-telomeric functions. Our previous in vitro studies demonstrated that short-term TERT inhibition by BIBR1532 (BIBR), an inhibitor of TERT catalytic activity, negatively impacts cell proliferation and viability via telomeres’ length-independent mechanism. Here we evaluate the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of short-term telomerase inhibition in vivo in wild-type (wt) and tert mutant (terthu3430/hu3430; tert−/−) zebrafish embryos, and in malignant human B cells xenografted in casper zebrafish embryos. Short-term Tert inhibition by BIBR in wt embryos reduced cell proliferation, induced an accumulation of cells in S-phase and ultimately led to apoptosis associated with the activation of DNA damage response; all these effects were unrelated to telomere shortening/dysfunction. BIBR treatment showed no effects in tert−/− embryos. Xenografted untreated malignant B cells proliferated in zebrafish embryos, while BIBR pretreated cells constantly decreased and were significantly less than those in the controls from 24 to up to 72 h after xenotransplantation. Additionally, xenografted tumor cells, treated with BIBR prior- or post-transplantation, displayed a significant higher apoptotic rate compared to untreated control cells. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that short-term telomerase inhibition impairs proliferation and viability in vivo and in human malignant B cells xenografted in zebrafish, thus supporting therapeutic applications of TERT inhibitors in human malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giunco
- Oncology and Immunology Section, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.Z.); (A.C.); (G.B.); (M.R.P.); (A.A.); (A.D.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-049-821-5831
| | - Manuela Zangrossi
- Oncology and Immunology Section, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.Z.); (A.C.); (G.B.); (M.R.P.); (A.A.); (A.D.R.)
| | - Francesca Dal Pozzolo
- Immunology and Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV–IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Andrea Celeghin
- Oncology and Immunology Section, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.Z.); (A.C.); (G.B.); (M.R.P.); (A.A.); (A.D.R.)
| | - Giovanni Ballin
- Oncology and Immunology Section, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.Z.); (A.C.); (G.B.); (M.R.P.); (A.A.); (A.D.R.)
| | - Maria Raffaella Petrara
- Oncology and Immunology Section, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.Z.); (A.C.); (G.B.); (M.R.P.); (A.A.); (A.D.R.)
| | - Aamir Amin
- Oncology and Immunology Section, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.Z.); (A.C.); (G.B.); (M.R.P.); (A.A.); (A.D.R.)
| | | | - Miguel Godinho Ferreira
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), UMR7284 U1081 UNS, Université Côte d’Azur, 06107 Nice CEDEX 2, France;
| | - Anita De Rossi
- Oncology and Immunology Section, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.Z.); (A.C.); (G.B.); (M.R.P.); (A.A.); (A.D.R.)
- Immunology and Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV–IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy;
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12
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Tissue Transparency In Vivo. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24132388. [PMID: 31261621 PMCID: PMC6651221 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24132388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo tissue transparency in the visible light spectrum is beneficial for many research applications that use optical methods, whether it involves in vivo optical imaging of cells or their activity, or optical intervention to affect cells or their activity deep inside tissues, such as brain tissue. The classical view is that a tissue is transparent if it neither absorbs nor scatters light, and thus absorption and scattering are the key elements to be controlled to reach the necessary transparency. This review focuses on the latest genetic and chemical approaches for the decoloration of tissue pigments to reduce visible light absorption and the methods to reduce scattering in live tissues. We also discuss the possible molecules involved in transparency.
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13
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Zebrafish disease models in hematology: Highlights on biological and translational impact. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2018; 1865:620-633. [PMID: 30593895 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has proven to be a versatile and reliable in vivo experimental model to study human hematopoiesis and hematological malignancies. As vertebrates, zebrafish has significant anatomical and biological similarities to humans, including the hematopoietic system. The powerful genome editing and genome-wide forward genetic screening tools have generated models that recapitulate human malignant hematopoietic pathologies in zebrafish and unravel cellular mechanisms involved in these diseases. Moreover, the use of zebrafish models in large-scale chemical screens has allowed the identification of new molecular targets and the design of alternative therapies. In this review we summarize the recent achievements in hematological research that highlight the power of the zebrafish model for discovery of new therapeutic molecules. We believe that the model is ready to give an immediate translational impact into the clinic.
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14
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Animal models of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: mimicking the human disease. JOURNAL OF BIO-X RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1097/jbr.0000000000000001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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15
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Gore AV, Pillay LM, Venero Galanternik M, Weinstein BM. The zebrafish: A fintastic model for hematopoietic development and disease. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2018; 7:e312. [PMID: 29436122 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is a complex process with a variety of different signaling pathways influencing every step of blood cell formation from the earliest precursors to final differentiated blood cell types. Formation of blood cells is crucial for survival. Blood cells carry oxygen, promote organ development and protect organs in different pathological conditions. Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are responsible for generating all adult differentiated blood cells. Defects in HSPCs or their downstream lineages can lead to anemia and other hematological disorders including leukemia. The zebrafish has recently emerged as a powerful vertebrate model system to study hematopoiesis. The developmental processes and molecular mechanisms involved in zebrafish hematopoiesis are conserved with higher vertebrates, and the genetic and experimental accessibility of the fish and the optical transparency of its embryos and larvae make it ideal for in vivo analysis of hematopoietic development. Defects in zebrafish hematopoiesis reliably phenocopy human blood disorders, making it a highly attractive model system to screen small molecules to design therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize the key developmental processes and molecular mechanisms of zebrafish hematopoiesis. We also discuss recent findings highlighting the strengths of zebrafish as a model system for drug discovery against hematopoietic disorders. This article is categorized under: Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cell Differentiation and Reversion Vertebrate Organogenesis > Musculoskeletal and Vascular Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: Regional Development Comparative Development and Evolution > Organ System Comparisons Between Species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniket V Gore
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Laura M Pillay
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Marina Venero Galanternik
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Brant M Weinstein
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
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16
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Wilk R, Ali N, England SJ, Lewis KE. Using Zebrafish to Bring Hands-On Laboratory Experiences to Urban Classrooms. Zebrafish 2018; 15:156-178. [PMID: 29356617 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2017.1503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish are widely used as a model organism for research. Zebrafish embryos are also a useful resource for teaching students about vertebrate development. Here we describe a collaboration between two high school teachers and two university professors that used zebrafish to bring hands-on laboratory experiences to inner-city students, with the aim of increasing tangibility, and improving student understanding and retention, of several fundamental scientific concepts, such as the scientific method, cell division, mitosis, and Mendelian genetics. We describe and provide supporting material for each of the four laboratory modules that we developed. We also discuss the obstacles that we encountered and include suggestions of ways to overcome these. This collaboration provides an example of how high school teachers with very little zebrafish experience can gain the knowledge and confidence to develop and implement modules such as these in a relatively short period of time. Owing to the wide availability of zebrafish resources, these laboratories should provide a useful resource for other teachers who are interested in integrating more hands-on, inquiry-based investigations using live animals into their classes. We also hope to encourage other zebrafish researchers to collaborate with local teachers in similar projects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Naomi Ali
- 1 Nottingham High School , Syracuse, New York
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17
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England SJ, Campbell PC, Banerjee S, Swanson AJ, Lewis KE. Identification and Expression Analysis of the Complete Family of Zebrafish pkd Genes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2017; 5:5. [PMID: 28271061 PMCID: PMC5318412 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2017.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) proteins are trans-membrane proteins that have crucial roles in many aspects of vertebrate development and physiology, including the development of many organs as well as left–right patterning and taste. They can be divided into structurally-distinct PKD1-like and PKD2-like proteins and usually one PKD1-like protein forms a heteromeric polycystin complex with a PKD2-like protein. For example, PKD1 forms a complex with PKD2 and mutations in either of these proteins cause Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), which is the most frequent potentially-lethal single-gene disorder in humans. Here, we identify the complete family of pkd genes in zebrafish and other teleosts. We describe the genomic locations and sequences of all seven genes: pkd1, pkd1b, pkd1l1, pkd1l2a, pkd1l2b, pkd2, and pkd2l1. pkd1l2a/pkd1l2b are likely to be ohnologs of pkd1l2, preserved from the whole genome duplication that occurred at the base of the teleosts. However, in contrast to mammals and cartilaginous and holostei fish, teleosts lack pkd2l2, and pkdrej genes, suggesting that these have been lost in the teleost lineage. In addition, teleost, and holostei fish have only a partial pkd1l3 sequence, suggesting that this gene may be in the process of being lost in the ray-finned fish lineage. We also provide the first comprehensive description of the expression of zebrafish pkd genes during development. In most structures we detect expression of one pkd1-like gene and one pkd2-like gene, consistent with these genes encoding a heteromeric protein complex. For example, we found that pkd2 and pkd1l1 are expressed in Kupffer's vesicle and pkd1 and pkd2 are expressed in the developing pronephros. In the spinal cord, we show that pkd1l2a and pkd2l1 are co-expressed in KA cells. We also identify potential co-expression of pkd1b and pkd2 in the floor-plate. Interestingly, and in contrast to mouse, we observe expression of all seven pkd genes in regions that may correspond to taste receptors. Taken together, these results provide a crucial catalog of pkd genes in an important model system for elucidating cell and developmental processes and modeling human diseases and the most comprehensive analysis of embryonic pkd gene expression in any vertebrate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul C Campbell
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University Syracuse, NY, USA
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